Nursing bottle with disposable insert

ABSTRACT

A liquidtight, flexible, disposable container having a nipple surrounded by a flexible flange is supported in a rigid enclosure by clamping the flange thereto. Until used, the flange is folded over the nipple and its edges lightly fastened together to protect the sterile condition thereof.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Larry P. Buncly 866 Stetson Ave, Kent, Wash. 98031; Edward E. McCullough, Box 46, Brigham City, Utah 84302 [21] Appl. No. 831,441 [22] Filed June 9. 1969 {45] Patented July 20, 1971 [541 NURSING BOTTLE WITH DISPOSABLE INSERT 17 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 215/11 R [51] Int. Cl A6lj 9/00 [50] Field ofSearch 215/ll,97

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,998,646 4/1935 Yager 215/1 1.2

2,133,411 10/1938 Zohe 215/11UX 2,365,947 12/1944 Ganson 215/97 X 2,628,911 2/1953 l-loran 215/11 X 2,889,829 6/1959 Tannenbaumm 215/11 X 3,239,935 7/1966 Miller .1 215/97 X 3,394,018 7/1968 Velonis. 215/11 X 3,471,050 10/1969 Barr 215/11 Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton Attorney-Edward E. McCullough ABSTRACT: A liquidtight, flexible, disposable container having a nipple surrounded by a flexible flange is supported in a rigid enclosure by clamping the flange thereto. Until used, the flange is folded over the nipple and its edges lightly fastened together to protect the sterile condition thereof.

PATENTEU JUL20 lsn SHEET 2 BF 2 NURSING BO'I'ILE WITH DISPOSABLE INSERT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to nursing bottles for infant feeding. Particularly, it relates to nursing bottles having disposable, sanitary, flexible inserts in combination with rigid enclosures.

Conventional nursing bottles of the type having disposable inserts made of plastic film are fairly elaborate, both in construction and method of assembly. The nipple is not disposable and must be sterilized before each use, thereby largely negating the convenience of the plastic-film insert. Also, use of a special tool is necessary toeffect a seal between the film and the nipple. The primary objective of such nursing bottles is apparently to prevent swallowing of air by the infant user, rather than to provide a conveniently used, disposable insert.

SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed toward overcoming these disadvantages in conventional nursing bottles of this type, while incorporating their advantages. It consists essentially of a sanitary, flexible, disposable container for liquid food, integral with a disposable nipple, and having a flange whereby the container may be clamped into a rigid enclosure. The flange is also used to protect the nipple from contamination until use and to insure a sterile area around it when used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS F IG. 1 is a side view of the disposable insert of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembled bottle, with the rigid enclosure and the flange of the insert being sectioned;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of the invention, showing an alternate kind of clamp;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the clamp of FIG. 4, shown in open position and removed from the nursing bottle; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section of the invention showing a third form of the clamp.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a preferred form of the disposable insert 10 is a tubular, flexible, liquidtight container R2 of plastic film (e.g. polyethylene), closed at both ends. A nipple l4 and an access tube 16 are both welded integrally into one end of the wall of the container 12 in communication with the interior thereof. A flexible, circular flange l8 surrounds the base of the nipple l4 and is welded to it. Before use of the insert 10, this flange 18 is folded upon itself over the nipple l4 and its peripheral edges are lightly joined together (as indicated by broken lines 20) by some means such as spot or perforation welding or an easily releasable adhesive for easy separation. The nipple 14 is preferably made of thickened material so that it is firm and somewhat resilient. It may be made also of a rubber welded or otherwise affixed to the container 12. The nipple 14 has a lip 21 at its base spaced below the flange 18. Also, an easily removable plug 23 in the orifice 25 of the nipple 14 is lightly welded or bonded at one end to the flange 18, so that the act of unfolding the flange 18 to expose the nipple l4 automatically removes the plug 23 from the nipple.

A preferred form of the rigid enclosure 22 is essentially a hollow cylinder 24, closed at one end and having a dome 26 with an aperture 28 therein. It may be closed at the other end, also. An annular spring clamp 30 fits over the dome end of the enclosure 22 and is curved to fit the form of the dome 26. The clamp 30 comprises an annulus made of some resilient material, such as spring steel or a suitable plastic. Slits 32 extending inwardly from the edges of the clamp 30 form resilient fingers 34, spring-biased inwardly for firmly gripping the enclosure 22. Ridges 36 inside the lower edge of the clamp 30 snap over an annular shoulder 38 or other irregularity on the outside cylindrical surface adjacent the apertured end of the enclosure 22 for secure engatement therewith. Other inwardly biased spring means on the clamp 30 could also perform the function of the fingers 34. At least a. portion of the cylinder 24 is transparent to permit visual inspection of the quantity of liquid in the container 12. Preferably the entire enclosure 22 is transparent, but this can also be achieved by inclusion of a long slot in the side of the cylinder24.

The aperture 28 in the enclosure 22 closely surrounds the base of the nipple 141 so that its edges are confined between the lip 21 and the flange B8 on the nipple for axial support thereof. The aperture 118 is slotted at 29 to provide additional opening through which the access tube to may extend.

in preferred practice of the invention, the container 12 of the insert is gathered laterally and inserted, together with the lip 21l of the nipple 14, into the rigid enclosure 22 through the aperture 28, leaving the access tube 16 extending through the slot 29. The rigid enclosure 22 is placed in an upright position. A funnel or spout, not shown, may be inserted into the access tube 16, and the container 112 is filled with liquid. This is a convenient operation, since the flexible container 12 is being supported within the rigid enclosure 22, and the quantity ofliquid in the container 12 may be ascertained by visual inspection through the container and the enclosure 22. If the liquid food is not to be used immediately, the flange 18 is left folded over the nipple, preserving the sterile condition both of the nipple l4 and the upper surface of the flange 18. The plug 23 prevents oozing of the liquid contents of the container 12 through the nipple orifice 25. Only the access tube 16 is clamped between the clamp member 30 and the rigid enclosure 22. Then, when the contents of the bottle are to be used, the clamp 30 is removed, the edges 20 of the flange 18 are separated (removing the plug 23 from the nipple orifice 25), and, without touching either the nipple 14 or the upper surface of the flange R8, the flange 18 is spread over the dome 26 and over the extended access tube 16. The clamp 30 is then snapped into place over the enclosure 22, confining both the flange l8 and the access tube l6 between itself and the enclosure 22, thereby sealing the access tube 16 and firmly supporting the disposable insert It) by the flange 18. If the nursing bottle is to be used immediately, the insert 10 would simply be placed in the rigid enclosure 22 and filled as described above; the tube to extended, the flange l8 spread over the dome 26 and tube 16, and the clamp 30 snapped into place thereover.

It is important to note that the flange 118 performs several useful functions: (i) Folded over the nipple 14, it preserves a sterile condition thereof as well as of its own inner (or upper) surface; (2) Clamped over the top of the rigid enclosure, it provides a means of firmly supporting the disposable insert 10 relative to the rigid enclosure 22, proviides a sanitary cover for the feeding end of the bottle, and covers the access tube 16 so that it cannot be accidentally withdrawn from under the clamp 30 and spill liquid from the container 12.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternative form 30 of the clamp, which comprises a flexible steel band 40, its ends joined together by a toggle fastener 42, whereby it may confine the flange 18 of the disposable insert 110 and, the access tube 16 tightly to the rigid enclosure 22'. When the toggle fastener is tightened, the band is seated below the shoulder 38 of the rigid enclosure 22'.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the clamping means 30". A first annulus 46 has internal threads that may engage external threads 48 of the cylindrical surface of the rigid enclosure 22" near the apertured end thereof. An inwardly extending flange 50 extends over a lip 52 on a second annulus 54 that is shaped to fit over the lower portion of the dome end of the enclosure 22". Hence, by engaging the threads, the flange l8 and access tube 116 of the disposable insert may be tightly confined between the dome end of the rigid enclosure 22" and the second annulus 54.

An invention has been described that represents an advance in the art and promotes convenience and simplicity in the use and manufacture of nursing bottles of the type using disposable inserts.

We claim:

l. A nursing bottle comprising:

a disposable insert comprising a flexible, liquid tight container, a nipple integral with the container wall and having a small orifice in its end, an access tube integral with the container wall and leading into the container for filling it with liquid, and a flexible flange surrounding the base of the nipple and fixed thereto above the container;

a rigid enclosure surrounding the container and having an end that is closed except for an aperture through which the nipple may extend; and

a clamp for clamping the flange over the closed end of the enclosure.

2. The nursing bottle of claim 1 wherein the nipple has a lip spaced below the flange, and the rigid enclosure has an additional opening to admit passage of the access tube, the size of the aperture being such that it fits the base portion of the nipple so that the edges of the enclosure may be confined between the lip and the flange of the nipple to provide additional support therefor.

3. The nursing bottle of claim 1 wherein the access tube is adjacent the nipple on the flexible container and additional opening is provided on the closed end of the enclosure to admit passage of the access tube, the tube being sufficiently long that, when the clamp is applied, the tube will be covered by the flange and will be confined therewith between the clamp and the rigid enclosure, effectively sealing the access tube and covering the closed end of the rigid enclosure with the flange.

4. A disposable insert for a nursing bottle comprising:

a flexible, liquidtight container;

a nipple integral with the wall of the container and having a small orifice in the end thereof;

an access tube integral with the wall of the container and leading into the interior thereof; and

a flexible flange surrounding the base of the nipple and fixed thereto.

5. The disposable insert of claim 4 further including a lip on the base of the nipple, spaced below the flange, whereby a rigid member may be gripped between the flange and the lip for support of the container.

6. The disposable insert of claim 4 wherein the access tube is attached to the container adjacent the nipple, for confinement beneath the flange.

7. The disposable insert of claim 41 wherein the flange is folded upon itself to enclose the nipple, and its edges are attached but easily separable, whereby a sterile condition of both the nipple and the upper surface of the flange may be preserved until use.

8. The disposable insert of claim 4 further including an easily removable plug in the orifice of the nipple, so that any liquid in the container may not escape therefrom until desired.

9. The disposable insert of claim 8 wherein the plug in the orifice of the nipple is attached to the flange, so that the plug may be automatically removed from the nipple when the flange is unfolded.

10. The disposable insert of claim 4 wherein the container and flange are made of plastic film.

11. A rigid enclosure for a disposable nursing bottle insert, comprising:

a hollow cylinder having an irregularity in its outer surface;

a dome on the end of the cylinder having the irregularity,

the dome having an aperture just large enough to admit passage of a nipple of a disposable insert so that the nipple and a thin, flexible structure surrounding it may be firmly supported by the dome, an opening to admit fluids into the insert also being provided in the dome; and

an annular clamp that fits over the cylindrical surface and may engage the surface irregularity therein, whereby a thin flexible structure may be clamped over the dome.

12. The rigid enclosure of claim 11 wherein the clamp is an annulus having circumferentially arranged spring means biased inwardly for firmly gripping the enclosure and disposable insert that may be supported therein.

The rigid enclosure of claim 12 wherein the spring means has the form of resilient fingers extending axially from both sides of the annulus.

M. The rigid enclosure of claim 11 wherein the clamp comprises:

a flexible band; and

toggle links joining the ends of the flexible band, whereby it may be tightly fastened about the enclosure.

15. The rigid enclosure of claim 11 wherein the surface irregularities on the hollow cylinder are external threads and the clamp is a first annulus having internal threads engageable therewith, and is further equipped with an inwardly extending flange that may bear firmly against the rigid enclosure when the threads are tightly engaged.

16. The rigid enclosure of claim 15 further including a second annulus loosely confined within the first so that it may bear against the enclosure without being rotated as the first annulus threadedly is engaged therewith.

7. The rigid enclosure of claim 11 wherein at least a portion thereof is transparent to permit visual inspection of contents. 

1. A nursing bottle comprising: a disposable insert comprising a flexible, liquid tight container, a nipple integral with the container wall and having a small orifice in its end, an access tube integral with the container wall and leading into the container for filling it with liquid, and a flexible flange surrounding the base of the nipple and fixed thereto above the container; a rigid enclosure surrounding the container and having an end that is closed except for an aperture through which the nipple may extend; and a clamp for clamping the flange over the closed end of the enclosure.
 2. The nursing bottle of claim 1 wherein the nipple has a lip spaced below the flange, and the rigid enclosure has an additional opening to admit passage of the access tube, the size of the aperture being such that it fits the base portion of the nipple so that the edges of the enclosure may be confined between the lip and the flange of the nipple to provide additional support therefor.
 3. The nursing bottle of claim 1 wherein the access tube is adjacent the nipple on the flexible container and additional opening is provided on the closed end of the enclosure to admit passage of the access tube, the tube being sufficiently long that, when the clamp is applied, the tube will be covered by the flange and will be confined therewith between the clamp and the rigid enclosure, effectively sealing the access tube and covering the closed end of the rigid enclosure with the flange.
 4. A disposable insert for a nursing bottle comprising: a flexible, liquidtight container; a nipple integral with the wall of the container and having a small orifice in the end thereof; an access tube integral with the wall of the container and leading into the interior thereof; and a flexible flange surrounding the base of the nipple and fixed thereto.
 5. The disposable insert of claim 4 further including a lip on the base of the nipple, spaced below the flange, whereby a rigid member may be gripped between the flange and the lip for support of the container.
 6. The disposable insert of claim 4 wherein the access tube is attached to the container adjacent the nipple, for confinement beneath the flange.
 7. The disposable insert of claim 4 wherein the flange is folded upon itself to enclose the nipple, and its edges are attached but easily separable, whereby a sterile condition of both the nipple and the upper surface of the flange may be preserved until use.
 8. The disposable insert of claim 4 further including an easily removable plug in the orifice of the nipple, so that any liquid in the container may not escape therefrom until desired.
 9. The disposable insert of claim 8 wherein the plug in the orifice of the nipple is attached to the flange, so that the plug may be automaticAlly removed from the nipple when the flange is unfolded.
 10. The disposable insert of claim 4 wherein the container and flange are made of plastic film.
 11. A rigid enclosure for a disposable nursing bottle insert, comprising: a hollow cylinder having an irregularity in its outer surface; a dome on the end of the cylinder having the irregularity, the dome having an aperture just large enough to admit passage of a nipple of a disposable insert so that the nipple and a thin, flexible structure surrounding it may be firmly supported by the dome, an opening to admit fluids into the insert also being provided in the dome; and an annular clamp that fits over the cylindrical surface and may engage the surface irregularity therein, whereby a thin flexible structure may be clamped over the dome.
 12. The rigid enclosure of claim 11 wherein the clamp is an annulus having circumferentially arranged spring means biased inwardly for firmly gripping the enclosure and disposable insert that may be supported therein.
 13. The rigid enclosure of claim 12 wherein the spring means has the form of resilient fingers extending axially from both sides of the annulus.
 14. The rigid enclosure of claim 11 wherein the clamp comprises: a flexible band; and toggle links joining the ends of the flexible band, whereby it may be tightly fastened about the enclosure.
 15. The rigid enclosure of claim 11 wherein the surface irregularities on the hollow cylinder are external threads and the clamp is a first annulus having internal threads engageable therewith, and is further equipped with an inwardly extending flange that may bear firmly against the rigid enclosure when the threads are tightly engaged.
 16. The rigid enclosure of claim 15 further including a second annulus loosely confined within the first so that it may bear against the enclosure without being rotated as the first annulus threadedly is engaged therewith.
 17. The rigid enclosure of claim 11 wherein at least a portion thereof is transparent to permit visual inspection of contents. 